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Hays County uses new law to convict child predator

Fri, 05/16/2014 - 5:00pmSanmarcos1

By ANITA MILLER

News Editor

Hays County used a new law this week to send a child predator to prison for life.

Robert Ritz, 44, of Austin was found guilty of the offense of Continuous Trafficking of Persons, an umbrella charge with “underlying crimes such as forced labor, sexual assault of children and compelled prostitution,” according to a news release from District Attorney Sherri Tibbe.

Ritz was arrested in January for a continued relationship with a girl who was 13 when the abuse began. Tibbe said the initial contact was over social media, and that Ritz “engaged in a sexual offense” with the girl in the presence of a 12-year-old.

“He continued the sexual relationship by engaging the child outside of her home and continually providing transportation to his home in Austin during the nighttime,” the news release said.